People who have iron deficient must take an iron supplement to help restore the body's supply of the mineral. Without a proper supply of iron, your body cannot efficiently transport oxygen and carbon dioxide through the bloodstream, typically resulting in fatigue and a feeling of exhaustion. While iron supplements will treat and cure anemia, taking too much can be extremely dangerous.
Recommended Daily Intake
The amount of iron you need to consume each day through the foods you eat depends on your age and gender. Adults 51 years and older and men ages 19 to 50 years should eat 8 mg of iron each day, while women ages 19 to 50 years should consume 18 mg daily, the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements reports. Males teens ages 14 to 18 years need 11 mg daily, while female teens need 15 mg daily. Children ages 9 to 13 years need 8 mg daily, while kids ages 4 to 8 years should get 10 mg daily. Young children ages 1 to 3 years need 7 mg each day. Infants between 7 months and 1 year need 11 mg daily, but full-term newborns are born with a supply of iron that will last four to six months.
Upper Intake Limit
Your body can tolerate iron at levels much higher than the recommended daily allowances; however, too much iron can cause serious affects. For that reason, the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine has set upper intake limits to protect against iron toxicity. Adults and teens 14 years and older should consume no more than 45 mg per day, while children ages 7 months to 13 years should get no more than 40 mg of iron in a day.
Recommended Doses
If you develop an iron deficiency because you do not consume enough of the mineral or have a medical condition that causes your supply to become depleted, you will need to take an iron supplement. The dosage depends on your age. The recommended dose for adults is between 50 and 100 mg of elemental iron three times daily, MedlinePlus reports. Children who are deficient in iron need 4 to 6 mg per kg of weight divided into three equal doses. Keep in mind that the upper intake limits do not apply to people who suffer from iron deficiency. You can typically restore your body's iron supply in three months, but doctors often extend treatment to last for six months so you can establish a reserve and prevent developing iron-deficient anemia again.
Iron Toxicity
In high doses, iron is toxic and even deadly. In fact, iron poisoning is the leading cause of poisoning deaths in children younger than 6 years of age, the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University reports. The established lethal dose for iron is between 200 mg and 250 mg per kg of weight, although death has occurred at smaller doses. Symptoms of iron poisoning include liver failure, low blood pressure and stomach and intestinal distress. If you suspect you or your child have overdosed on iron, seek immediate medical attention or call a poison control center. Before taking iron supplements, talk with your doctor to ensure you are taking a safe dose.
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